INVESTIGADORES
CORVI maria Martha
congresos y reuniones científicas
Título:
Human and rabbit antibodies against Toxoplasma Hsp20 are able to block parasite invasion and gliding motility
Autor/es:
COCERES, VM; CORVI MM; ANGEL SO
Lugar:
Ascochinga, Cordoba, Argentina
Reunión:
Congreso; XXIV Reunion Anual de la Sociedad Argentina de Protozoologia; 2010
Institución organizadora:
Sociedad Argentina de Protozoologia
Resumen:
Toxoplasma gondii Hsp20 is a pellicle-associated functional chaperone whose biological role is still unknown. Here we demonstrate that Hsp20 is present in different apicomplexan parasites, showing a high degree of conservation between them, with Neosopora caninum Hsp20 presenting an 82% identity to that of T. gondii. Rabbit anti-T. gondii Hsp20 serum is able to recognize the N. caninum counterpart, which was also localized to the parasite pellicle. Incubation of T. gondii and N. caninum tachzyoites with an anti-Hsp20 antiserum blocked invasion at rates of 43.5% and 54.7% respectively. This antiserum also blocked T. gondii gliding 48.7%. Purified anti-Hsp20 antibodies from serum samples of infected individuals also blocked invasion and gliding at rates of 26 and 40%, respectively. A detailed analysis of extracellular parasites by immunolocalization with alpha toxin, glycerol and non-permeabilized parasites, indicated that Hsp20 is localized at both plasma membrane and IMC, being exposed to environmental antibodies. Hsp20 was also detected at the basal complex. During gliding, Hsp20 relocalizes to one side of the tachyzoite covering the basal pole; being also detected in the trail. Thus, we have demonstrated that Hsp20 is important for parasite invasion/gliding and could be an efficient target for immunotherapy.